Omiš Pirates
At the peak of their power, Omis Pirates were one of the most powerful and fearsome pirates on the whole Mediterranean Sea. In the 12. and 13. century Omiš was governed by the dukes Kacics, the leaders of the pirates of Omis. The Omis dukes from the Kacic family: Malduk, Toljen, Pribislav, Osor were the masters of the Adriatic Sea, so mighty that the towns of Dubrovnik and Kotor were forced to make treaties with them on non-attacking, and in the 13 th century even Venice appeared as a party in the pact with the Omis pirates making a commitment to pay tribute to ensure free sailing and trade ...
Source: OmisInfo.com
The pirates of Omis used to attack Pope's galleys and merchants of Venetia, Dubrovnik, Kotor, Split. On few occasions they even attacked the crusaders on their way to the Holy Land.
Omis Pirates ruled the Adriatic Sea for more then three centuries until in the year of 1420 the whole of Dalmatia, except Omis, fell under rule the of Venetian Republic, the most powerful naval force of those times.
Surrounded by the enemy and left completely alone, the Pirates of Omis managed to defend themselves for 24 years. In 1444, Omis fell into the hands of Venetia and that year marks the end of piracy on Adriatic Sea.
Omis Pirates were extraordinary sailors and shipbuilders, famous for their Sagittas (the Arrow), a special type of ship constructed for fast attack and even faster retrieval into the safety of the mouth of the Cetina River.
Due to its position and the bravery of its inhabitants, Omis was practically impregnable to all invaders. Even the Turks, who conquered all of the south-eastern Europe, and were stoped at the gates of Wienna, didn't manage to defeat Omis.
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